Matt Wallington, store manager at Asda Cheadle Hulme, has been awarded the supermarket’s ‘Engaging Leader’ award after redeploying an entire store team into new roles.

In September 2016, the Asda supermarket in Poynton closed after reaching the end of its lease leaving 19 colleagues with uncertain futures.

Matt played a pivotal role throughout the closure process and conducted one-on-one meetings with each colleague to discuss their options for redeployment. After liaising with local stores to assess opportunities in the area, Matt’s tireless work paid off with each and every colleague being redeployed into a new role with Asda.

Four months on, each of the colleagues is still working locally as part of the Asda team.

Asda Senior Manager for Manchester, Jason Teens, nominated Matt for the award, said: “Matt took the difficult situation of an entire store team losing their workplace in his stride and went above and beyond, not stopping until each of the colleagues were successfully redeployed.

“His commitment to the Asda family is clear to see and I couldn’t think of anyone who deserves this title more after months of tireless effort to help his colleagues.”

Matt said: “I was thrilled to have been recognised for my work with the Poynton store team and honoured to be given the title of Engaging Leader. I didn’t expect it at all so, as you can imagine, was quite surprised when it was announced.

“It’s a great feeling to be appreciated like this and I’m extremely humbled and honoured to have been chosen out of everyone nominated. I really just consider myself to be doing my job.”